After an immensely successful domestic campaign, Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City side managed to replicate that success on the European stage, claiming their first Champions League trophy and with it securing a historic treble.
The gap between the Sky Blues and the chasing pack is growing with each season that passes as the other so-called ‘big six’ clubs are caught in a seemingly endless battle with each other for the right to become City’s sole challengers. It comes as no surprise then that the Cityzens are the heavy favourites to claim a fourth consecutive Premier League title in 2023/24. Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester United will all be hoping to knock City off their perch but aren’t given much of a chance according to the bookies. But is that fair? And is the title race going to lack that competitive edge in 2023/24? Here’s our look at the top contenders’ chances heading into the new Premier League campaign.
Manchester City – 8/13
City were ruthless last season, controlling games from start to finish and dismantling defences with surgical precision. Having said that, it’s worth noting they were pushed to their limits in all competitions too and despite lifting three major trophies in 2022/23, it could’ve been very different. Few would have predicted Arsenal to emerge as City’s primary competition in the league last season but they were an exceptional foil to City’s might throughout the season. For a large part of the campaign they had the upper hand too, sitting atop the league table for an astounding 248 days before the Cityzens wore them down to wrestle top spot from their grasp. While Guardiola’s squad showed its immense quality, Erling Haaland leading the charge with a final tally of 52 goals last season, the margin of victory in the league was only five points. If not for a catastrophic collapse from the Gunners in the run-in, the title would be residing in North London as we speak. So while online betting sites have Manchester City as the 8/13 favourites to win the league, meaning you only get £6 profit off a £10 stake, it hardly seems warranted that the gap between themselves and their challengers, according to the odds, is so drastic. They do possess the best squad, the best manager and the resources to secure a fourth Premier League crown in as many years and are deserved favourites, but perhaps the bookies are underestimating how competitive the title race could be next season.
Arsenal – 6/1
According to the market City’s closest challengers will once again be Arsenal as they predict Mikel Arteta’s side to bring momentum from their incredible performance last season into the upcoming campaign. After having been billed as nothing more than a top four contender heading into the previous season, Arteta’s squad exceeded everyone’s expectations, playing the most attractive football Arsenal fans had seen in years and leading the way for the vast majority of the season. The manner in which their title challenge fizzled out was heartbreaking for Gunners fans but the efforts of the squad throughout the league campaign were cause for optimism. The club accrued 84 points over the 38 games, the highest tally of an Arsenal team since the Invincibles of 2003/04, which earned them many plaudits and the guarantee of their first Champions League spot for six years. Martin Odegaard, Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Martinelli, William Saliba, Oleksandr Zinchenko and Gabriel Jesus all enjoyed standout seasons at the Emirates and with all staying on for another shot at City, with Arteta also adding the talents of Declan Rice and Kai Havertz to the squad, Arsenal are well positioned to go again in 2023/24. The ominous question though, that could explain the relative distance between themselves and City in the market, is whether there will be a hangover from last season. That looming concern over whether they missed their big chance seems justified and makes this a fair assessment of their chances ahead of the new league campaign.
Liverpool – 8/1
It’s no secret that Liverpool had an off year. Likely the result of a hangover from the season before where the Reds fell just short of clinching a historic quadruple, Jurgen Klopp’s side endured a torrid campaign on both domestic and European fronts. Their defence leaked 47 goals while landmark signings Darwin Nunez and Cody Gakpo struggled to hit the ground running in attack. The combination of the two left the Merseyside club in need of a miraculous recovery to salvage anything from their season. Thankfully for Reds fans the team managed just that, claiming 23 points from a possible 27 in their last nine games to clinch a Europa League spot, only just falling short of those coveted Champions League places. Many long-serving squad members rediscovered their form in the backend of last season after a tactical tweak allowed the often-maligned Trent Alexander-Arnold to move freely in attacking situations. This new formation seems set to stay and after the additions of Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai to revitalize Liverpool’s midfield this summer, they are in a good place to right the wrongs of the 2022/23 campaign. The Reds simply won’t be as bad as they were last season and it wouldn’t be all too surprising if they match Arsenal in their challenge of City; 8/1 feels like it might be underselling Klopp’s side.
Manchester United – 14/1
Erik Ten Hag is starting to get things at Old Trafford back on track. A Carabao Cup win in February was the platform from which the Red Devils built on to secure a Champions League spot for next season along with a second domestic cup final appearance. The squad played with a sense of purpose and identity that had been sorely lacking and turnaround has led many to believe that United will be competing for major honours consistently under the watchful eye of the Dutchman. Having said that there are areas of the squad that clearly need improving; a new centre-forward and goalkeeper is an absolute must before the new season gets underway and while Andre Onana looks set to sign soon enough, United have done very little to solve their attacking deficiencies since abandoning their pursuit of Harry Kane earlier this summer. Spending £55 million of a limited budget on improving their midfield options with Mason Mount would indicate they haven’t got their priorities right. If they can get their business in order before the transfer window closes then they will be a legitimate contender for the title, but for the time being 14/1 is a fair reflection of their chances.
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